What makes trains so appealing to so many kids? It might be that trains are huge machines that have highly predictable routes, and when they are rolling down the track, they produce a kind of heavy, white noise that can be very soothing. A few of Floreo's earliest lessons were developed using a train environment. The versatility of this environment allows Coaches to use the train lessons for a range of purposes. It all depends on how you look at them.

Use the train lessons...

... As a Relaxation Tool: The very basic lesson, Watch the Train, offers Learners an escape for a few minutes to a world where they can simply enjoy the train as it makes its way around the figure-8-shaped track. If the Learner is working on relaxation techniques and can follow some fairly simple directions, Coaches can introduce Breathing Train, where the Learner practices a breathing routine in order to get the train started. In Breathing Train, there are 3 sections. The Coach is given suggested language to encourage deep breathing and body awareness. After a series of 4 steps, the Coach activates the train, first around half of the track, then around the second half of the track, and finally around the full track.

... As a Visual Tracking Tool: Floreo has some lessons that are specifically designed for visual tracking (Watch it Go and Follow the Animals), but other lessons in the library can be repurposed for this as well. In Watch the Train, the Coach can observe whether the train remains in the visual field or outside of it. When the train disappears into the tunnel, the Coach can monitor whether the Learner visually anticipates the train emerging from the other side.

... As a Tool for Building Spatial Vocabulary: In Spatial Concepts: Where is the Train?, Floreo utilizes the train environment to work on several basic spatial concept words (under, behind, between, in, out, around, over, next to). Learners watch the train and listen to a VoiceOver that reports where the train is (under the bridge, next to the waterfall, etc.) As the train passes those locations, a billboard lights up with the location written on the sign. Coaches can introduce this lesson to teach this vocabulary. When the Learner is ready, the Coach may follow up with Watch the Train and ask the Learner to announce where the train is.

For this vocabulary and concept development, Coaches may also consider utilizing Spatial Concepts: Left & Right. In this lesson, Floreo leverages the immersive quality of VR to allow Learners to see a train approaching from the left and departing on the right and vice versa. The VoiceOver announces the direction (left and right). There are 3 different styles of trains to keep kids engaged.

... As Motivation for any 4-step Verbal Task: Floreo is a versatile tool and can be used to support a variety of learning goals. For example, if a Learner is practicing the sequence of the months of the year and needs additional practice before the skill is generalized, Breathing Train

can be adapted for that purpose. If the lesson has not already been established as a relaxation activity, simply replace the breathing prompts with the new verbal task. Instead of guiding the Learner through breathing, ask them to recite the months of the year in groups of 3 (a memory strategy known as chunking.) The moving train provides a motivating structure while the Learner practices the sequence.

The lesson would proceed as follows: The Coach taps the "Start Lesson" button and goes through the initial steps. The Coach announces, "We're going to practice the months of the year and then start the train." On "Step 1 of 4", the Learner should say: January, February, March. The Coach taps "Next". On "Step 2 of 4", the Learner should say: April, May, June. And so on until the Learner reaches December. At this point, the Coach will have tapped the "Next" buttons 4 times and will be able to activate the train. When the train returns to Chillville Station, the Coach repeats the process. By the end of the lesson, the Learner would have repeated the months of the year in order, 3 times.

... As Positive Reinforcement: The Learner had a good day, or accomplished a work task or remembered a habit without having to be reminded. Coaches can use Floreo as an enjoyable activity after a job well done.

If you are interested in exploring some of our other transportation-oriented content, consider Relaxed Ride with Alejandro to give Learners practice riding safely in a car or Security Savvy: TSA Search and Questions, giving Learners practice answering additional questions at an Airport Security checkpoint. In the meantime, enjoy the trains!